Issue of Concern: INJURY

Our Vision:  Island County—we have fun and we keep it safe. 

To Reach Our Vision:

Island County Community Snap Shot:

• Young males age 15-29 years are twice as likely as others to sustain an injury. (2)
• Young males age 15–29 are three times more likely than others to have a motor vehicle crash injury. (2)
• Between 1991 and 1995 three children ages 2–12 months died from homicide. (3)
• Between 1991 and 1996 three children died from injuries due to motor vehicle crashes. (2)
• Between 1991 and 1996 three children ages 4–14 died from drowning. (3)
• 86% of residents said they always wear a seat belt. (1)
• 92% of parents said their children always use seat belts. (1)
• 59% of parents said their children always wear bicycle helmets. (1)
• 88% of gun owners do not have loaded, unlocked guns at home. (1)

 What we are doing now:  How we stay safe…

Conclusions:  We Need to Change Our Thinking

We often think of injuries as accidents... random, uncontrollable, unpredictable, unavoidable acts of fate. Consider this:

• Injuries occur in highly predictable patterns, with recognizable risk factors, among identifiable populations.
• Injuries are no accident!
• Injuries are preventable.

"If a disease were killing our young people in the proportion that injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped." (Former Surgeon General Everett Koop)

 Injuries & Alcohol:

• Alcohol use plays a big role in the number and severity of many injuries.
•  Efforts to reduce death and disability from injury should be combined with efforts to reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drugs

References:
     (1) Behavioral Risk Factor Survey of Island County Adults, 9/96
     (2) Island County Community Health Concerns: Unintentional Injuries, 9/95
     (3) Review of Child Fatalities 1991-1996, 1/97

Injury Prevention Links:

The CDC Prevention Guidelines Database. A comprehensive compendium of all of the official guidelines and recommendations published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the prevention of diseases, injuries and disabilities.
Vehicle and Safety Equipment Information Website for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Department of Transportation.
Children's Safety Network. Providing resources and technical assistance to maternall and child health agencies and other organizations seeking to reduce unintentional injuries and violence to children and adolescents.
Developing Your Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Plan. A useful tool for helping to identify hazards in your workplace. Employers who are developing occupational injury and illness prevention plans on their own will find this guide especially helpful. Includes a checklist for self-prevention.